This is a common question among parents when choosing an international learning environment—one often labeled as focusing solely on language development. However, at The Dewey Schools, mathematics is built from the very roots of critical thinking. Students don’t just learn to take tests—they learn to understand, apply, and innovate. Math is not approached as a rigid subject but as a tool to unlock intellectual potential.
Dewey is also the first school in Hanoi to introduce scientific concepts to students as early as primary school, empowering them to turn scientific knowledge into practical solutions. With a unique approach to learning, TDSers are immersed in experiences much like young scientists, crafting concepts for themselves through multisensory learning: touching, speaking, and thinking. There is no copying of the new, no rote memorization of rules—every day at school is a day of creating, discovering, and learning something new.
Just last week, second graders from class 2Busan enjoyed an exciting Math lesson exploring the concept of fractions through a series of diverse hands-on activities. Students were challenged to solve puzzles to uncover hidden values, which they then used to compose a musical piece—where pitch and rhythm were represented by fractions! Beyond acquiring knowledge, students also applied what they learned to invent their own game: Snakes and Ladders. Each square on the board posed a real-life math challenge, such as dividing a cake or converting coins into fractions. By asking their own questions, students actively reinforced their learning, honed their logical thinking, and developed teamwork skills.
At the end of the lesson, students crafted visual models—pizza slices, clocks, lemon wedges, watermelon pieces—to represent fractions like ½, ⅓, and ¼. These lively “creations” helped bring abstract concepts to life. Ms. Monabelle Timosa, Math teacher of class 2Busan, shared: “These activities not only help students grasp mathematical concepts more deeply, but also nurture creative thinking, collaboration, and, most importantly, the ability to apply Math in real-life situations.”
At Dewey, learning Math isn’t about absorbing ready-made knowledge—it’s a process of constructing concepts, creating knowledge with one’s own hands, and developing the ability to apply it practically. With a strong foundational understanding built from the primary level, Dewey students are well-prepared to adapt confidently to any math curriculum, keeping pace with the modern advancements of science and technology.
